Common type of lightbulb won’t be available for sale after July: Here’s why
Incandescent lightbulbs will soon be a thing of the past – at least in retail stores.
Starting in August, Americans will only be able to purchase LED lights from retailers as a ban on most incandescent lightbulbs goes into effect.
Under the new rules, the Department of Energy will require manufacturers to make and sell only energy-efficient light emitting diode, or LED, light bulbs, which lasts 25 to 50 times longer than incandescent bulbs while using less electricity.
In 2020, about 30% of light bulbs sold in the U.S. were incandescent or halogen incandescent bulbs.
Once in place, DOE expects consumers to save nearly $3 billion per year on utility bills. The rules are also projected to cut carbon emissions by 222 million metric tons – an amount equivalent to the emissions generated by 28 million homes in one year, the Biden administration said.
The initial cost of LEDs is higher, however.
The average cost of an LED light bulb ranged from $5-$7 each while incandescent light bulbs generally cost about $2 each.
There are no limitations regarding continued use of incandescent lights bulbs in homes, so if you prefer them, you might want to stock up now.